The Host

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When an unseen enemy threatens mankind by taking over their bodies and erasing their memories, Melanie will risk everything to protect the people she cares most about, proving that love can conquer all in a dangerous new world. Based on the novel by Stephenie Meyer. Starring Saoirse Ronan, Max Irons, Diane Kruger. In cinemas 12 April.

In the future, Earth has been invaded by alien "souls" that inhabit the bodies of humans and erase their memories. A few unmolested human rebels live in hiding as they try to escape the pursuit of the alien Seekers. Rebel girl Melanie Stryder (played by Saoirse Ronan) is captured and inhabited by a soul named Wanderer who becomes aware of Melanie's ties to her younger brother and lover Jared (Max Irons) and struggles with Melanie's desperate need to save her loved ones from a particularly tenacious Seeker (Diane Kruger).

What we thought:

It must be noted upfront that The Host is based on the other novel by Twilight creator Stephenie Meyer – and while those books and films have proven themselves to have a hardcore (and often deaf, blind) audience, even they will be forced to admit that The Host is an absolute disaster of a film.

Lacking characters we can believe in, a plot or direction we can follow or genuine emotion we can relate to, The Host is lightweight science fiction negated to near nothingness by a mawkish romance. Surprise, surprise.

As human-heroine-turned-conflicted-alien Wanderer (or Wanda, as she becomes known) tries to make sense of her new identity she finds that she is torn between Melanie's fighting spirit and the demands placed on her to help the Seekers track down the hidey-hole Melanie's rebel pals have run off to.

What soon becomes evident is that none of this really matters because writer-director Andrew Niccol seems to do all he can to circumvent the film's central plot – such as it is – by letting the audience into Wanda's messy head as she gets into really awkward, truly laughable conversations with Melanie, whose apparently bratty psyche is still trapped inside.

Niccol, the man who is also responsible for films like Gattaca and The Truman Show, finds himself at a loss with these characters, attempting to create a character who is both dutiful and passionate but ends up with a silly ditz who does not nearly elicit the kind of devotion the human rebels feel for her.

As a result, Saoirse Ronan, who was nominated for an Oscar at age 13 for her role on Atonement and proved herself to be a badass of note as a child assassin in Hanna, is left unmoored and exposed. Much of the film's unintentional humour comes at her expense as she blathers away to an annoying voice in her head.

Things are supposed to get more intriguing as Wanda finds her way to the rebel camp out in the desert. New Mexico offers a stunning location and the earthy, weather-beaten hues of this landscape gives the film an attractive aesthetic appeal. But even that starts to dull when it becomes clear this is the ONLY location we will be spending the last three quarters of this overly long tale.

While holed out in the rebel's cave, presided over by Melanie's uncle Jeb, Wanda/Melanie is at first reviled by many of the community's strapping young male warriors, and is later desired by one of them, Ian (Jake Abel), who came very close to killing her, and gets thrown into a weird love tri-quadrangle as Wanda and Ian fall in love, while Melanie, the other half of her consciousness, wants to be with her long lost love Jared.

There is much expression of truth and emotion through a series of PG-friendly kissing scenes and breathy declarations of love. It's the heaving, against-all-odds kinda star-crossed love(s) that young adults have supported in their droves (The Twilight Saga, The Hunger Games, et al) and The Host fails to create the kind of love affair even the most devoted YA fan can believe in.

The Host is so devoid of tension, a film in desperate need of a strong antagonist. The alien invaders pride themselves on being peaceful creatures who seek a harmonious, altruistic relationship with their human hosts. Admittedly, that's precisely the kind of alien invasion I'd hope for if (when) it comes, but on film it falls flat and does not inspire confidence in our supposed heroes.

Save for some inspiring costume choices (while out trying to blend among the aliens, Jared and Ian take to dressing like Don Draper on vacation) The Host is insipid hokum.

At least Twilight gave audiences something to react to, rather extremely. The Host is neither here nor there. Thankfully, there is no sequel in sight.

From the same mind that brought us The Twilight Saga, The Host is vapid, lightweight science fiction further undone by uninspiring characters and a mawkish love triangle.

(Comments may be edited or deleted at the Channel24 editors’ discretion)

4The Hostabu atk2013-04-12 07:12 PM

Rating:

heeeehehhehhheh

1The HostPuff2013-04-15 01:48 PM

Rating:

There aren't enough words to describe how pointless / silly / formulaic and ditzy I found this movie. 99% sorry I watched it. It's only redeeming feature was William Hurt and his 'alternative' personality.

1The HostNutz2013-04-16 11:52 AM

Rating:

Realy disappointed in the movie. The book was very very good, could not put it down!

1The HostNutz2013-04-16 11:52 AM

Rating:

Realy disappointed in the movie. The book was very very good, could not put it down!